“ELVIS: THE ED SULLIVAN SHOWS”

The legend of ELVIS PRESLEY lives on in ELVIS: THE ED SULLIVAN SHOWS–the first-ever DVD release of the undisputed king of rock n’ roll’s three historic earth-shattering performances on the Ed Sullivan Show–which is out today (November 21) via Image Entertainment.

The three-disc special edition DVD–which consists of the three complete Ed Sullivan Shows on which Elvis made rock ‘n’ roll and TV history–is garnering early rave reviews.

“Elvis’s historic mid-50’s appearances on Ed Sullivan stand, after half a century, as important and hugely enjoyable rock & roll artifacts,” noted Clark Collis in his review for Entertainment Weekly (11/24/06). In his review for the Los Angeles Times, Robert Hilburn states, “We’ve seen the Elvis performances from the Ed Sullivan TV variety show in other video packages, but not in their original context. …This three-disc package, produced by Andrew Solt, lets us watch Elvis perform such tunes as ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ and ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ the same way viewers did in 1956. That means we see him sandwiched in between Sullivan’s usual array of comedians, Broadway vocalists and dog acts–all of which makes the performances on the three shows seem more revolutionary (11/15/06).”

Elvis first appeared on the show September 9, 1956 and debuted the song “Love Me Tender” that night on the show; he followed it up with “Don’t Be Cruel” (with the Jordanaires), “Ready Teddy” and “Hound Dog.” Elvis returned on October 28, 1956 triggering ecstatic screams from the largely teen audience while performing his current hits “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender” and “Hound Dog.” This time around, he added Lieber & Stoller’s “Love Me” to his set list. Elvis’s inspired performances as well as his growing reputation for hip shaking and sensual gyrations convinced CBS’s censors that the Ed Sullivan Show should film him only above the waist during his third and final appearance on January 6, 1957. On this final Sullivan show, Elvis performed “Hound Dog,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Too Much,” “When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again” and “Peace In The Valley.” This was the last time Elvis would appear live on American television.

Produced by Grammy and Emmy-award winning producer Andrew Solt (Imagine: John Lennon, This Is Elvis, The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Heroes of Rock ‘n’ Roll), the DVD features re-mastered Dolby Digital 5.1 audio as well as the original mono soundtrack. The Kinescope video has been enhanced by a breakthrough technical process–created by a company called LiveFeed–resulting in an optimal sound and visual experience. Special bonus features include: a rare color 8mm home movie shot in 1955 which is the first-ever recorded footage of a very young Elvis (age 20) who was not yet managed by Col. Tom Parker; special Elvis moments including an appearance by comedian John Byner; and home movies of Elvis and Priscilla with some of the earliest shots of their daughter Lisa Marie.

In addition, the package includes insightful interviews and reminiscing with legendary producer Sam Phillips of Sun Records; Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires; Marlo Lewis, producer of these three historic Ed Sullivan Shows; renowned television host Wink Martindale; High School buddy and Memphis DJ George Klein; and Elvis’s close friend and Memphis mafia member Jerry Schilling, author of Me And A Guy Named Elvis. The impressive package also includes a collectible booklet about Elvis on Sullivan featuring liner-notes written by pre-eminent rock scribe, Greil Marcus.

For more information, or to request a review copy of ELVIS: THE ED SULLIVAN SHOWS contact MSO: